Recruitment Procedures

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a police officer? Do the aspects of the job intrigue you? The following is a list of the qualifications, requirements, and testing procedures needed to fulfill that dream.

Entry Applicant Qualifications

In order to qualify as an Entry Level Police Officer Applicant for the City of Coeur d’Alene Police Department, the following minimum requirements must be met:

Shall be a citizen of the United States.

Must be at least 21 years of age.

Must possess a High School diploma or G.E.D. certificate.

Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Must be of good moral character and pass an extensive background investigation, which will include a review of your criminal and traffic history, your financial affairs, work history, education, and personal history to include but not be limited to contacts with friends, neighbors, relatives, employers, co-workers and associates. Applicants who successfully progress through the application and testing process will also be required to pass a Polygraph Exam, Psychological Evaluation, Medical Exam and Drug Testing prior to being appointed to a Police Officer position.

Have not less than two (2) years of responsible work experience following high school graduation (or when the applicant would have graduated). This requirement can be complied with by two (2) years of any combination of military service, gainful employment or education.

Shall have no convictions or withheld judgments for any felony criminal offense.

Shall have no convictions or withheld judgments for any misdemeanor sex crimes, misdemeanor crimes of deceit or misdemeanor drug offenses within five (5) years preceding application.

Shall have no convictions or withheld judgments for misdemeanor DUI during the three (3) years immediately preceding application.

Shall have no convictions or withheld judgments for any other misdemeanor crime during the three (3) years immediately preceding application.

Shall have no convictions or withheld judgments of any misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, stalking, violation of a civil protection order, violation of a no contact order or child abuse.

Shall not have had a driver’s license suspension for a DUI conviction, refusal of a chemical test or for having habitual misdemeanor or infraction traffic violations during the three (3) years immediately preceding application.

Must be able to legally possess a firearm.

Shall not have a “Dismissal”, “Bad Conduct Discharge”, “Dishonorable Discharge” or “Other than Honorable” discharge from any Military service. The administrative discharges of “General Under Honorable Conditions”, “General” or “Uncharacterized” may be grounds for rejection for certification by Idaho POST.

Must be able to meet the physical and medical requirements for a law enforcement officer in the State of Idaho as prescribed by the Idaho Peace Officer Standards & Training Council.

Lateral Entry Qualifications

In order to qualify as a Lateral Police Officer Applicant for the City of Coeur d’Alene Police Department, the following minimum requirements must be met:

Must meet all of the same minimum requirements as an Entry Level Police Officer Applicant and;

Must have satisfactorily completed a probationary period with current/prior law enforcement agency and;

Must have successfully completed a P.O.S.T. certified basic academy and are experienced police officers who have worked for other municipal, county, or state agencies completing a probationary period and having a minimum of twenty-four (24) months in either a patrol or investigative capacity and;

If you are currently a police officer but do not meet the experience requirements of a Lateral Police Officer, you may qualify to apply as a Post Certifiable applicant. A photocopy of your P.O.S.T. certificate must be attached to your application at the time of submission.

POST Certifiable Applicants: Must have successfully completed a P.O.S.T. certified Basic Police Academy or a POST certified Vocational Program within 12 months preceding the application submission date and/or be a current police officer that does not yet meet the minimum qualifications of a Lateral Police Officer. A photocopy of your certificate of graduation must be attached to your application at the time of submission.

Application & Testing

A two-part exam consisting of a written and oral interviews will be administered.

Training & Certification

An entry level police officer's career begins at the Idaho P.O.S.T. Academy where training is provided for 10 weeks (400 hours), eight hours every day, except weekends and holidays. While in the Academy you will be paid your full salary and will receive intensive training in preparation for your law enforcement career.

Commissioned Academy graduates are assigned to the Patrol Division under the guidance of a Field Training Officer (FTO) who will instruct you in the practical application of your academy training. At the completion of the FTO program, you are placed on normal shift rotation and assignment.

Fringe Benefits

EDUCATION: Police officers are encouraged to further their education. The City provides a reimbursement program for tuition and fees for officers working toward a degree in Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice.

UNIFORMS: Issued required clothing and equipment and a cleaning benefit is included.

For additional fringe benefits information click on the following link: Fringe Benefits